Office LTSC 2021 Reaching End of Support
If you still use Office LTSC 2021 at your workplace, now is the time to start making plans for the future. According to Microsoft, Office LTSC 2021 will hit its end of support on October 13, 2026. After this period, the applications will keep working but will not be updated in terms of security or other improvements, becoming more vulnerable to security risks and problems with compliance.
Upgrade in advance to protect your company from these threats.
What End of Support Means for You After October 13, 2026
Beginning October 13, 2026, Office LTSC 2021 will officially reach its end of support. While the applications will continue to work, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security updates for newly discovered vulnerabilities.
After this date, organizations using Office LTSC 2021 should expect:
- No security updates
- No bug fixes
- No technical support
- No software updates
- Limited online support resources
Running unsupported software can increase security risks, create compatibility challenges with newer Microsoft services, and make it more difficult to meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
The following table shows the dates older versions of Office will end:
Why You Should Upgrade Before Support Ends
Organizations still running Office 2021 should begin planning their migration as soon as possible. Upgrading users before support ends helps reduce security risks, ensures compatibility with Microsoft services, and provides access to the latest productivity and security features.
Starting your migration early also gives IT teams time to test applications, train users, and minimize business disruption.
Although Office LTSC 2021 won’t stop working after October 13, 2026, continuing to use unsupported software can expose your organization to unnecessary risks. Without regular security patches, newly discovered vulnerabilities will remain unaddressed, making it easier for attackers to exploit outdated systems.
Planning your migration early also allows your IT team to:
- Minimize business disruptions.
- Test compatibility with existing applications and workflows.
- Train users on any new features or changes.
- Budget for licensing and deployment.
- Maintain compliance with industry regulations and internal security policies.
Waiting until after support ends may result in rushed deployments, compatibility issues, and increased operational risk.
Your Upgrade Options
Microsoft recommends upgrading to a supported version of Office before the deadline. The right choice depends on your organization’s IT strategy and business requirements.
$49.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Microsoft 365 Apps
For most organizations, Microsoft 365 Apps is the recommended upgrade path. As a cloud-connected subscription, it provides:
- Continuous security updates.
- Automatic feature updates.
- The latest Office applications.
- Better integration with Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.
- Access to AI-powered experiences such as Microsoft 365 Copilot (with eligible licensing).
Because Microsoft 365 Apps is continually updated, organizations no longer need to manage major Office version upgrades every few years.
Office LTSC 2024
If your organization requires an on-premises solution or isn’t ready to adopt a cloud-based subscription, Office LTSC 2024 is Microsoft’s recommended perpetual version for commercial customers.
Office LTSC 2024 offers:
- A one-time purchase licensing model.
- A supported Office platform.
- Security updates throughout its support lifecycle.
- Ideal deployment for disconnected, regulated, or specialized environments.
While it doesn’t receive new feature updates like Microsoft 365 Apps, it remains a reliable option for organizations with specific operational requirements.
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Start Planning Your Migration Today
Whether you’re moving to Microsoft 365 Apps or Office LTSC 2024, starting your upgrade now provides ample time to assess your current environment, validate application compatibility, and complete deployment before the support deadline.
A proactive migration strategy helps reduce downtime, improve security, and ensure users continue working with supported productivity tools.
Need Help Choosing the Right Microsoft Licensing?
Selecting the best Office solution depends on your organization’s size, security requirements, infrastructure, and long-term IT strategy. Reviewing your licensing options now can help you avoid unnecessary costs while ensuring your environment remains fully supported.
If you’re unsure which path is right for your business, the experts at 365 Cloud Store can help you evaluate your current licensing, compare upgrade options, and plan a smooth migration before October 13, 2026.
For Microsoft’s official guidance on the Office LTSC 2021 end-of-support timeline, visit:
Written by Beatriz Aguilar
July 16, 2026
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